TAHLEQUAH, OK – Cory Donnell Bryant, 36, is facing federal sentencing after admitting to a dangerous gamble: possessing a loaded shotgun while already a convicted felon. The plea, entered Friday, brings a dark chapter to a close in a case that highlights the persistent threat of illegally armed individuals in Oklahoma.
According to court documents, Bryant was found with the Mossberg 12-gauge shotgun on September 7, 2022. The weapon, traced through interstate commerce, became evidence in a joint investigation led by the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The crucial detail? Bryant knew he was legally barred from owning a firearm due to a previous conviction for a crime carrying a sentence exceeding one year.
Federal prosecutors – Special Assistant United States Attorney Genevieve Ozark and Assistant United States Attorney Edith Singer – successfully demonstrated Bryant’s awareness of his prohibited status. The specifics of the prior conviction haven’t been publicly released, but the law is clear: a felony conviction strips an individual of their Second Amendment rights. Ignoring that law carries significant consequences.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Jason A. Robertson accepted Bryant’s guilty plea, ordering a presentence investigation to determine the appropriate punishment. The report will delve into Bryant’s criminal history, potential for recidivism, and other factors relevant to sentencing. Currently, Bryant remains in the custody of the U.S. Marshal, awaiting his fate.
This case isn’t just about one shotgun. It’s about the ATF and local law enforcement working to keep guns out of the hands of those who pose the greatest risk to public safety. The Eastern District of Oklahoma, under the leadership of U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Wilson, has made firearm offenses a priority, consistently pursuing prosecutions of individuals who illegally possess weapons.
While the exact length of Bryant’s sentence remains unknown, a conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm carries a potential maximum prison term. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing when it is announced. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of illegal firearm possession and the ongoing efforts to combat gun violence in Oklahoma and beyond.
Related Federal Cases
- Lawrence Blue, Firearm Possession, Tahlequah OK, 2024 · Oklahoma
- Kenneth Edward Day, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Muskogee OK, 2023 · Oklahoma
- David Arriaga, Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Omaha NE, 2016 · Oklahoma
- Richard Dale Henry, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, OK 2016 · Oklahoma
- Robert Leroy Crawley, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, OK 2024 · Oklahoma
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
WeaponsWeaponsWeaponsWeapons